Manager, Sustainable Community Schools Professional Development

The Manager of Sustainable Community Schools Professional Development at Chicago Public Schools will lead the expansion of professional learning for community partners, staff, and students. Responsibilities include designing PD plans, co-chairing the Professional Learning Subcommittee, and coordinating events. The role emphasizes collaboration, relationship-building, and alignment with Sustainable Community Schools principles to enhance educational experiences for students and communities.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) is located in the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS). OCCS champions postsecondary success and connectedness, and well-being across CPS. The SCS model is rooted in 7 principles: Racial Justice and Equity; Community Self-Determination; Valuing Community Wisdom/Knowledge; Shared Leadership and Collaboration; Authentic Community Engagement; Transparency and Trusting Relationships; and a Whole Child, Whole Community Approach to Education. SCS embodies these principles through 6 pillars: Critical, culturally relevant curriculum; an emphasis on high-quality teaching rather than on high-stakes testing; student-centered, restorative school culture; wraparound support; authentic parent engagement; and shared leadership.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Community Schools, the Manager of Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) Professional Development (PD) will work in collaboration with the SCS Taskforce professional learning subcommittee by leading the expansion and differentiation of professional learning of SCS partners: community organizations and Lead Partner staff, students, parents, teachers, administrators, school staff, and district staff. The Manager, SCS PD will facilitate the planning, co-creation, and implementation of popular education and professional development for the SCS initiative and ensure that all SCS PD is aligned to the principles and pillars of Sustainable Community Schools. This position will serve as a resource to other school and partner staff.

The Manager, Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) Professional Development (PD) will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the Professional Learning (PL) subcommittee to design long and short-term PD plan for SCS in all phases (i.e both current and beginning SCS).
• Co-chair the SCS Professional Learning Subcommittee.
• Co-lead the planning and coordination for the SCS Full Cohort Professional Developments during the school year and at the Summer Institute.
• Act as a liaison between CPS, CTU, and SCS Task Force.
• Build strong relationships with SCS educators and cohort principals.
• Supervise, develop, manage performance, and support the SCS PD team.
• Establish partnerships with CPS departments, community organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities to expand and broaden professional learning for the SCS community.
• Establish support and planning between SCS Full Cohort PD's and share additional PD opportunities with lead partner agencies, educators, youth, and families.
• Support SCS PD Coordinators as they support educators in curriculum development of critical, culturally relevant pedagogy.
• Keep current on new critical, culturally relevant pedagogy and curriculum implementation.
• Plan and coordinate regular and ongoing professional learning and popular education for the SCS team based on needs in the SCS community and individual needs of the team.
• Develop and facilitate professional learning and popular education of CPS staff and schools engaged in other community school models (i.e. 21st Century, Full-Service) in order to streamline these to the SCS model, particularly to pillars 1 and 2.
• Lead the development and implementation of SCS' Authentic Assessment pilot, in conjunction with the CPS Assessment Sub-Committee.
• Build strong relationships with SCS educators and cohort principals.
• Support principals and SCS PD coordinators in providing time and resources to consistent and high-quality PD focused on pillars 1 and 2 in their school communities.
• Attend occasional SCS Leadership Team meetings at SCS cohort schools along with SCS Program and PD Coordinators.
• Maintain a record of all SCS Professional Developments, materials, and evaluations.
• Compile and manage a record of curriculum materials for the SCS Cohort schools.
• Develop, maintain, and manage the budget for SCS professional learning.
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager of Sustainable Community Schools Professional Development must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:


Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Bachelor's Degree in Education preferred


Experience Required:
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience teaching in K-12 education spaces and/or planning, coordinating, and facilitating professional development and/or training in an Education settingMinimum of two (2) years of experience leading diversity initiatives, advocating for underrepresented groups, or volunteering with organizations focused on social justice issuesMinimum of two (2) years in leadership guiding community partners, teachers, students, and parents to achieve community-driven goals, including inspiring and motivating people to work together towards a common vision.Experience developing and facilitating critical, culturally relevant curriculum to youth and adultsExperience collaborating with different partners (i.e. students, parents, community members) to co-create lessons, professional development, etc.Experience leading successful teams

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to commit to the Sustainable Community Schools (SCS) vision, values, principles, and pillars, ensuring alignment with both CPS's broader mission and the unique goals of SCSKnowledge and understanding of the social, political, and economic origins of the U.S. and the ways these impact education and schoolingDeep knowledge and understanding of critical, culturally relevant, and culturally sustaining pedagogiesKnowledge of state and district curriculum, assessment, and testing mandatesKnowledge of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods, including an understanding of the unique strengths, challenges, and community assets that impact schools and familiesValues and honors the knowledge, wisdom, and contributions of community members, including elders, youth, parents, and working peopleKnowledge and experience co-creating learning with multiple partners (students, teachers, administrators, parents, community members)Ability to learn from and collaborate with those they supervise, recognizing that leadership is strengthened through collective participation and shared decision-making.Strong coaching, mentorship, and professional development skills, with the ability to guide individuals and teams in their growth across various settingsDemonstrates a commitment to the collective well-being by prioritizing the needs of the community over individual interestsOpen to learning, new ideas, and feedback; willing to listen, self-reflect, acknowledge mistakes, and grow from experiences

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.